It seems that all of us Americans have reason to be frustrated with our Federal government these days. Some are incensed that the Supreme Court continues to stymie various policies of the present administration. Others are outraged that unelected bureaucrats continue to issue regulations that the people’s representatives have no power to change.

But we aren’t the only ones who have ever been caught in such a legal web. After the conquest of Babylon by an alliance of the Medes and Persians, Darius found himself the absolute ruler. Thus, when his own set of bureaucrats convinced him to make a law forbidding anyone to make any sort of petition to any god or man except himself (6:7), he probably saw it as a good way to consolidate his power.

But he discovered another universal political truth: all laws and regulations have unintended consequences. For the law he had made ended up condemning Daniel, his closest advisor. Moreover, the king found himself powerless to reverse his decision, because another law also said that no previous law could be changed (6:14-15).

Simply put, there was no legal remedy to Daniel’s plight: the law said that, because he prayed to God, he had to be thrown into a den of hungry lions. In the same way, the increasing moral and political divisions within American society may make it impossible for Christians, at least in some areas of the country, to live out their faith in their businesses or schools. Some may end up losing jobs, suffering fines, or even going to jail for trying to live according to their understanding of Biblical truth.

But Daniel didn’t allow an unjust law to keep him from seeking God’s face in prayer (6:10). At the same time, he refused to rely on a political remedy for his salvation. Instead, he kept trusting in God (6:23), and it was the power of God that shut the mouths of the lions (6:22), just as unbelieving Darius predicted (6:16).

In the same way, while American Christians should do whatever we can as citizens to make our laws fair and just for everyone, our ultimate confidence must be in the God whose kingdom will not be destroyed, the God Who delivers and rescues and performs signs and wonders in heaven and on earth (6:26-27). For He has not only delivered Daniel from the lions’ den; by the blood of Christ’s cross, He has delivered all who trust in Him from bondage to sin and death. And we can count on Him to bring perfect justice to the earth – in His way and in His time.

Daniel 6:16-27 (NASB)

16 Then the king gave orders, and Daniel was brought in and cast into the lions’ den. The king spoke and said to Daniel, “Your God whom you constantly serve will Himself deliver you.”
17 And a stone was brought and laid over the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signet rings of his nobles, so that nothing might be changed in regard to Daniel.
18 Then the king went off to his palace and spent the night fasting, and no entertainment was brought before him; and his sleep fled from him.
19 Then the king arose with the dawn, at the break of day, and went in haste to the lions’ den.
20 And when he had come near the den to Daniel, he cried out with a troubled voice. The king spoke and said to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you constantly serve, been able to deliver you from the lions?”
21 Then Daniel spoke to the king, “O king, live forever!
22 “My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me, inasmuch as I was found innocent before Him; and also toward you, O king, I have committed no crime.”
23 Then the king was very pleased and gave orders for Daniel to be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.
24 The king then gave orders, and they brought those men who had maliciously accused Daniel, and they cast them, their children, and their wives into the lions’ den; and they had not reached the bottom of the den before the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.
25 Then Darius the king wrote to all the peoples, nations, and men of every language who were living in all the land: “May your peace abound!
26 “I make a decree that in all the dominion of my kingdom men are to fear and tremble before the God of Daniel; For He is the living God and enduring forever, And His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed, And His dominion will be forever.
27 “He delivers and rescues and performs signs and wonders In heaven and on earth, Who has also delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.”